One morning (Labor Day, 1995? '96?) I hopped onto my trusty Yamaha XJ600 Seca II for a little ride. I didn’t really know where I was going. I figured the bike did. Off we went on the 10 from West L.A. to Santa Monica. North on PCH. Nine hours later I was in San Rafael (north of San Francisco). Had a little side-trip to Laguna Seca on the way. Little did I know (this being unplanned and all) that there was a Renaissance Faire in Novato and an Art thing in San Francisco. No room at the inn, as it were.
I stopped at a place in San Rafael and there was one room left. There was also a guy ahead of me at the counter. He decided that $35 was too much to pay for a room and left. Swoop! Having been looking for a place to stay, I took the room.
I’ve already mentioned my soreness in this thread, but it wasn’t that bad. I took off the next morning down Hwy 1 and got stuck behind people who didn’t want to drive over 45. That made for a long day. By the time I was almost to Cambria I was going nuts. I had to get off the bike for a while. Walked around for about 1/2 an hour and then found my way over to the 101. The ride was much better from there. Picked up a little rain in Oxnard. Did I mention this wasn’t a planned trip? That’s why I was only wearing a denim jacket for protection. I was shivering and wet and uncomfortable. Finally made it home from the Bay Area after about nine hours (including my little walk, and a lunch stop, plus the gas stops every 200 miles).
Sure I was sore, numb, cold and wet; but I wouldn’t trade the experience.
Understand that. Even on my harley, I cringe when I ride past reflective surfaces. It is kinda fun to whatch the look on peoples faces when I ride on big harley, and still make it look small. I used to have a really streched out panhead chopper, it was 6’6" axle to axle. I think I actually fit that one. Wish I still had it.
Lucas, because gentlemen don’t go motoring about after dark.